Editorials

With typical summer temperatures this month well above 90 degrees outdoors, conditions for some workers have become unbearable inside the Smithfield Foods slaughterhouse.

Two weeks ago, a worker died from the heat. Last week, three others were sickened by the high temperature. In response, Smithfield Foods management has added paid breaks for when the heat becomes overwhelming.

The breaks are a good start, but the company should do more. It should cool and monitor the temperature on the "kill floor."

On extremely hot days - like those we've had lately and like those we have every summer - it may be even hotter inside the meatpacking plant. That's because workers on the "kill floor" use flames to burn hairs off hogs and hot water to clean up after the slaughtered.

But no one knows for sure how hot it gets inside.

Smithfield Foods measures the outdoor temperature, then estimates the indoor temperature. Instead, it needs to be precise about indoor temperatures - where its employees are doing their jobs.

Accurate monitoring may point to the need for more ventilation, better cooling, or other improvements. Then, Smithfield Foods owes it to its workers to do what it takes to make those improvements.

If it won't improve on its own, Smithfield should be forced by the state Department of Labor and Industry, which is investigating the plant death.

Working on the "kill floor" of a meatpacking plant is hard, messy work under any circumstances. But it shouldn't be intolerable.

Assets

Young people must know where the lines are

Boundaries are physical and emotional. Teen-agers need to know when they stray so far they intrude on someone's property or encroach on someone's psychic space.

And they must be told, so they clearly know what is appropriate and what is out of bounds.

In a Search Institute Survey of 100,000 sixth to 12th graders in 213 cities and towns, 46 percent identified neighborhood boundaries as an asset in their lives. In Newport News, 42 percent of 1,900 teen-agers surveyed recognized the value of neighborhood boundaries.

Each Monday, this series examines one of the 40 assets identified by the institute. These are elements of family and community life that promote healthy, positive behavior among young people.

Adults, here are some ways you can help.

* Connect with neighbors. Hold a front-yard barbecue, block or building party. Discuss neighborhood boundaries and identify three or more that everyone can agree on. Examples: Respect people and property; report suspicious activity; and supervise children younger than 16.

* Neighborhood adults, not just parents, should point out boundaries. For example, make it clear to teen-agers they should not use offensive language.

Expect young people to behave appropriately and respect neighborhood boundaries, whether physical or emotional. When boys or girls cross the line, adults have a responsibility to explain and enforce the rules.

Police costs

Let offender pay when domestic cases explode

The 13-hour standoff between an armed man and Newport News police last week is a scene replayed too often.

A domestic dispute, fueled by alcohol and guns, gets out of control. The woman manages to call police. The man holes up and threatens to use the gun. Too many innocent people are in the line of fire for police to ignore the threat.

In the hours that follow, valuable resources are spent removing neighbors from nearby apartments and turning traffic away from the danger.

Usually, it ends in an anti-climax when the gunman surrenders. Sometimes, charges are filed. But what about the expensive manpower diverted to the scene? Why shouldn't the person who caused so much disruption and inconvenience have to reimburse taxpayers for any extraordinary police cost?

In addition to potential criminal charges, Newport News should begin with this case and find a way to make the gunman who caused all that expense pay back the taxpayers.

Please join us today

The Editorial Board is on the road again today. Please join us in a discussion as we sort out the paper's positions on local issues. From 7:30 to 9 a.m. today, we'll be at the Third Generation Restaurant at 6414 Main Street in Gloucester (yes, that's the one that used to be called the Courthouse Restaurant). You bring the fresh ideas. We'll buy the fresh coffee.